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The number of children who were medically examined in 1968 shows a
significant increase compared with the previous year, but the figures should
be interpreted cautiously and in conjunction with those in Appendix C, page
S3. A change in the status of one school has resulted in an apparent reduction
in the number of inspections in non-maintained schools, with a corresponding
increase in the number for maintained schools. In addition, however,
there has still been an increase in the absolute number of medical examinations
probably due to similar increases in the total school population
(page 54 ).
The number of special inspections also shows an increase mainly in
those undertaken at schools, suggesting that teachers are finding it increasingly
helpful to present children for a medical opinion at times when a
routine examination is not yet due. The fact that school medical officers
now visit infant departments at least once every term enables the teacher to
obtain medical advice about a particular child very easily. The number of
reinspections, however, suggests a significant reduction especially in
those conducted at inspection clinics as the trend towards follow-up in
school noted in last year's report (page 7) continues.
During the last three years the proportion of parents who attended the
inspections has shown minor fluctuations around a stationary level of 53%.
The high proportion of parents who attend the first medical inspection
continues to be most welcome.